Can a medieval just war theory address 21 st century concerns?

Abstract

There has been a recent revival of interest in just war teaching but can a medieval theological theory help us address 21^st century security concerns? The just war principles do not, as some philosophers have recently argued, need to be radically reinterpreted to maintain their relevance. But the moral principles do need to be reinforced by the theory and practice of the virtues, as Aquinas taught. The virtues required by the military are examined, including moral courage - the virtue lacking in the officers, including the chaplain, criticised by the judge in the Baha Mousa inquiry for failing to prevent the physical abuse of Iraqi detainees. The virtues – lost in recent just war thinking – need to be rediscovered and reintegrated in just war thinking.